Stop Facebook From Tracking Your Every Move: Simple Steps To Reclaim Your Privacy
Share this article:
In today’s hyper-connected world, social media giants like Facebook are constantly collecting data about your online and offline activities. From the websites you visit to your exact location, Facebook uses this information to serve targeted ads, suggest content, and more. But if the idea of being tracked everywhere makes you uneasy, you're not alone—and thankfully, there are ways to fight back. Here's how to stop Facebook from tracking your every move.
1. Understand How Facebook Tracks You
Facebook doesn’t just collect what you share on the platform. It monitors your interactions with other apps, tracks your browsing history through embedded tools like the Facebook Pixel, and even records your location using GPS.
2. Turn Off Location Services
Go to your phone's settings and disable location access for Facebook.
3. Disable Background Location Tracking in Facebook App
Even with device-level location turned off, the app might still collect data.
4. Manage Off-Facebook Activity
Facebook collects data from third-party apps and websites you visit.
To disable it:
5. Opt-Out of Targeted Ads
While you can't stop all ads, you can reduce how personalized they are.
Go to Settings & Privacy > Settings > Ad Preferences > Ad Settings.
Turn off options like “Ads based on data from partners” and “Ads based on your activity on Facebook Company Products”.
6. Limit Facebook’s Access Through Your Browser
Use privacy-focused browser extensions like:
7. Review Permissions for Facebook App
Don’t grant unnecessary access to your camera, microphone, contacts, or SMS.
Go to your phone's settings and toggle off permissions that aren’t essential.
8. Use Facebook on a Browser Instead of the App
The Facebook app collects much more data than the browser version. Accessing Facebook via browser and logging out after use can reduce passive tracking.
9. Regularly Audit Your Activity and Privacy Settings
Facebook’s settings can change with updates. Make it a habit to revisit your privacy settings, ad preferences, and location permissions every few months.
Facebook may be free to use, but it comes at the cost of your personal data. Taking the above steps won't eliminate all tracking, but it will significantly reduce how much Facebook knows about you. A little digital hygiene can go a long way in protecting your privacy in a world where data is currency.
1. Understand How Facebook Tracks You
Facebook doesn’t just collect what you share on the platform. It monitors your interactions with other apps, tracks your browsing history through embedded tools like the Facebook Pixel, and even records your location using GPS.
2. Turn Off Location Services
Go to your phone's settings and disable location access for Facebook.
- On iOS: Settings > Facebook > Location > Set to "Never" or "While Using".
- On Android: Settings > Apps > Facebook > Permissions > Location > Deny.
3. Disable Background Location Tracking in Facebook App
Even with device-level location turned off, the app might still collect data.
- Open the Facebook app > Menu > Settings & Privacy > Settings > Location > Location Access > Turn Off.
- Also disable "Location History" and "Background Location".
4. Manage Off-Facebook Activity
Facebook collects data from third-party apps and websites you visit.
To disable it:
- Go to Settings & Privacy > Settings > Your Facebook Information > Off-Facebook Activity.
- Clear history and turn off future off-Facebook activity.
5. Opt-Out of Targeted Ads
While you can't stop all ads, you can reduce how personalized they are.
Go to Settings & Privacy > Settings > Ad Preferences > Ad Settings.
Turn off options like “Ads based on data from partners” and “Ads based on your activity on Facebook Company Products”.
6. Limit Facebook’s Access Through Your Browser
Use privacy-focused browser extensions like:
- uBlock Origin (blocks Facebook trackers)
- Privacy Badger
- Facebook Container (Firefox) – keeps Facebook activity isolated from other websites.
7. Review Permissions for Facebook App
Don’t grant unnecessary access to your camera, microphone, contacts, or SMS.
Go to your phone's settings and toggle off permissions that aren’t essential.
8. Use Facebook on a Browser Instead of the App
The Facebook app collects much more data than the browser version. Accessing Facebook via browser and logging out after use can reduce passive tracking.
9. Regularly Audit Your Activity and Privacy Settings
Facebook’s settings can change with updates. Make it a habit to revisit your privacy settings, ad preferences, and location permissions every few months.
Facebook may be free to use, but it comes at the cost of your personal data. Taking the above steps won't eliminate all tracking, but it will significantly reduce how much Facebook knows about you. A little digital hygiene can go a long way in protecting your privacy in a world where data is currency.
Next Story